Mistletoe AND WINE

All Rose wanted was a little extra sparkle at Christmas

- Susan Willis

I’m in the garden centre pushing my trolley and have already chosen two poinsettia plants to give as presents. I’ve bought holly and ivy to make a display for the village hall and, on a whim, I’ve also flung in a big spray of mistletoe. Wishful thinking, I muse.

The scent of pine needles fills my nostrils, and I see families and young couples carefully picking out Christmas trees. Earlier, I’d dragged my artificial tree down from the loft and sighed at its sorry state. But I’m going to make the best of what I’ve got.

Knowing I can cheer up the old tree with new decorations, I head over to the baubles – which are in my favourite colours of red and green.

Tinsel lies in baskets around the base of each stand, and I spot a lone gold strand. I tug at it but it doesn’t come free.

A man on the other side of the stand has reached for the gold tinsel too. He doesn’t realise we’re holding the same piece. He frowns, then huffs, giving it another yank, as if the tinsel is attached to something.

Well, it is. Me. I’m not a woman who backs away from a challenge, so I tug back harder. It’s a contest now. I want this tinsel more than anything in the world. Through the lofty, central display, I peep around for a better view.

Hmm… The guy is tall with dark brown hair and, as my mother would say, he’s easy on the eye. I can see he looks as determined as I am, obviously up for the challenge too.

In my ear, I can hear my ex-fiancé saying, ‘For goodness sake, Rose! Just choose another piece.’ But that was ‘anything for an easy life’ Brian. Personally, I think life needs to have its challenges, and today I’m throwing down the gauntlet.

‘This is my piece of tinsel,’ the guy says, popping his head around the stand.

‘I don’t think so,’ I reply, pulling back my shoulders. ‘I found it first.’

I sound like a petulant child but I’m not going to admit defeat.